Monthly Archives: July 2014

Paul says the kingdom of God is to be lived, not just discussed. To talk about faith is just that – talk. Faith without works is dead. Don’t just talk about faith. Live by God’s Word. (1 Cor 4:18-20).

I can’t sit and pretend everything in my life is perfect because I’m a Christian. I can only tell the truth about what’s not perfect in my life because I am a Christian. While I cannot speak for anyone else but myself. I also have to be honest and tell the truth about my broken self. I’m a broken vessel. Please don’t judge me. Believe it or not, we’re all one step away from falling into the pit or entering eternity.

It doesn’t mean I’m perfect. None of us are. We’re flawed. We fail God every day. Every day, we all fall short of God’s glory. We may not always do the right thing. And although it’s not enough, sometimes we try to act like Christians but fail at being one.

I strongly believe there’s good in each of us. Some choose to do good, some don’t. Some don’t value their gift. Some gladly use their gift. However, what I have difficulty understanding is when you say you’re a Christian and act like one, why is it difficult being one?

In Ephesians 3:20, Paul tells the Philippians to remember that they are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. I ask, “Have you transferred your citizenship?”

When you say you are a Christian tell me how are you promoting heaven’s interest? Are you leading lives worthy of heavenly citizenship? Or do you fit in the same category as those who profess to be Christians and act like one? But fail to transfer their citizenship to heaven because they still seek earthly pleasures and treasures instead of heavenly ones?

When we become Christians, God makes us different on the inside. We no longer are the same person we once were even if we look the same on the outside. We love and obey God. Our hearts are transformed. Our desire is to be like Christ. We are conformed in his image. We spend time daily in his presence reading the Word, praying, and meditating. What we do on the outside reflect what is on the inside. Our hearts are devoted to God. We have a willingness to serve the Lord.

In every area of your life don’t just act like a Christian, be one. Live and act in certain ways that will please God. Change your mind set. Do what pleases God. Be selfless. Deny self. Glorify God in every good deed. God will be pleased.

Consistency is when you work every day to be Christ-like. It’s a journey. It doesn’t happen overnight. Discipline is required in order to grow. You can’t move forward when you’re not willing to change or accept discipline in order to grow.

Ask yourself these questions and then answer them. Have I transferred my citizenship? How am I promoting heaven’s interest? I say I am a Christian. Not only will I act like one. I will be one.

Isn’t it strange how God can use us fallible, broken, unfaithful vessels to speak to His people? Isn’t God good? We’re privileged. Thank Him. Lord we come before your throne of grace. Continue to use us for your glory. Thank you God for who you are. You are the great “I AM THAT I AM” (Exodus 3:14). Thank God I am a Christian.

Be blessed! –JD

John 13:13-17 “13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” (ESV)

God will take care of you. His grace abounds to you. He’s faithful. He will never leave you or forsake you.

The word of God tells us what suffering can do for us. Trials strengthen us. We may suffer along the way. Through Christ, God gives us the victory.

They lied on Jesus. They persecuted him. That didn’t stop him. Jesus died on the cross for us. If God be for us, who can be against us?

People may persecute you. They may even lie on you. Whether you fail or succeed, people still will talk about you. Give them something to talk about. Be the light. Let them see Jesus in you. Shine bright! Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:10).

Be blessed! -JD

John 15:20“Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.” (ESV)

People are becoming so consumed with the notion of becoming instantly famous. There is not a day that goes by I don’t hear of someone taking “selfies” or posting pictures they hope will go viral and make them instantly famous.

Or shooting a video and posting it on Pinterest, Twitter or Instagram, or threatening to tweet an alleged “abuse” from their phone while riding on a plane. Even when sitting in a restaurant or attending a basketball game or posting something from anywhere for that matter to get immediate results or attention.

It is becoming so exhausting to the point where I am getting weary when I see so many people fighting for instant success that will not last long or for eternity. What’s the point? To be someone they think they need to be when in fact God has already created them to be the person he designed them to be.

I find there are so many people who cannot take a moment to read God’s Word and mediate on it long enough to believe what he says. To know they can live a life of peace and not confusion and believe God is not a God of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). Or understand the depth of his promises. What he says he will do. His word is truth. It doesn’t take the use of technology to figure out your life. All it takes is a moment to see what God says about the plans he have for your life (Jeremiah 29:11).

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). This, my friend is what grace shows you. As a believer, you have been transformed. God’s Word reveals and reflects who you really are.

Please understand it is not instant success that will define you. It is who God says you are that defines you. Take some time to read the Word and then tell me who you think you are. It is plain and simple and doesn’t need to be a picture for the world to know just who you are because of a one-minute famed “selfie” you took moments ago. The real truth is found in God’s Word. Seek His truth.

Stop thinking instant fame will get you far. Your name, your title, your level of education is not your identity in Christ. You will know who you are when you discover who you really are in Christ. Grace will show you who you are in Christ. Know that you are God’s treasured possession. The work is finished.

It’s not what you do. It’s not what people say about you. This is what God says about you. “You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), you are his treasured possession (Deuteronomy 7:6), you are his workmanship” (Ephesians 2:10). Take a moment and think about these things for just a second. If you were to think on things that are true, you would have no problem believing what the word of God says about you.

Everything you need to live a victorious life is inside of you. You don’t need instant fame to live victoriously. In Christ, you already have the victory. Grace shows you the true reflection of who you are in Christ. Not pictures on Instagram, tweets to famous people, or selfies that rock. Seek God’s Word and not the word or approval of man to show you your true identity. You are complete in Christ Jesus.

When Jesus died on the cross, his work was done. We can live, by faith, as new creations in Christ because of what he’s done. Do you know who you really are? Your identity in Christ is who you really are!

Be blessed! –JD

Jeremiah 9:23-24 “’23 Thus says the Lord: ”Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight in, declares the Lord.” (ESV)

When you find yourself waiting on God, be patient. God is faithful. God is working it out for his glory and for your greater good. All things work together for good. (Romans 8:28)

When it seems like things are not working out and your faith is being tested, it produces steadfastness. God’s working it out in your favor. Be encouraged. You’re blessed and highly favored.

When you’ve lost everything and feel there’s nothing to live for, it is where you will meet God and realize you have everything to live for.

It is God who is at work in you. He gives you the desire and the will to achieve his purpose. If you do God’s will, you will desire to do what he wants for his purpose. God says, ”And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules” (Ezekial 36:27). The Holy Spirit dwells in you. Whatever he puts inside you, it will come out of you. The seed of greatness is inside you.

The seed was planted long ago. Whatever happens today has already been determined in the spiritual. God has a set time and place for it to happen in the natural. The place you’re in is for a purpose. God will fulfill his purpose.

You may feel you have been held captive for quite some time and waited years for something to happen. Then suddenly, there will come a day when you will be released from bondage and something amazing will happen. Be encouraged. All hope is not gone. You will experience visions from God. In your darkest hour is when you will hear from God.

You may not understand what it is you are to do while going through. Let me help you. Pray, meditate, study the Word. Thank God for the trials in spite of.

There’s purpose for your pain, process before promotion. Process before progress. Labor will be painful. God’s positioning you for elevation. Declare that you are in the right position to receive God’s blessings. Accept it. Walk in your destiny.

Be blessed! -JD

Joshua 1:7-9 “7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (NIV)

God knows our need before we ask him for a blessing. Sometimes the blessing may not come as we expect, but will come from a perfect stranger.

Don’t look to the right or to the left. Look to the hills from whence cometh your help. God will meet every need. You’ll be blessed indeed!

Sometimes God will put unsuspecting people who are a peculiar people, just as you, in familiar places to bless you. The blessing is for you. You may not see God while going through.

While you’re waiting on God for your breakthrough, do something for someone else. If you know someone who needs a breakthrough, bless them.

Go beyond that which is familiar to you. Leave all that is familiar. Walk in righteousness. Believe what God has for you is for you. Wait on Him. Be patient.

Patience is a fruit of the spirit and develops when you’re going through the storm. God’s teaching you how to wait on him while in the storm. Wait I say. Wait on the Lord. Trust God. Have patience. He who began a good work in you will carry it to completion. Be patient. He’ll do it.

Be blessed! -JD

Romans 12:12-18 “12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (ESV)

Father, I stretch my hands to you. No other help I know. When nothing in this world makes sense to me God, wrap me in your arms, draw me nearer. Keep me close.

I know you will never forsake me. I am so in love with you. But there are times when I feel alone as though you’re not with me. I know you love me too.

And though I know you are here, all I ask of you, please… don’t ever stop loving me. Thank you.

Be blessed! -JD

Psalm 138:7-8 “7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch forth your hand against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me. 8 The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Your loving kindness, O LORD, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.” (NASB)

Don't ever change yourself to impress someone, cause they should be impressed that you don't change to please others -- When you are going through something hard and wonder where God is, always remember that the teacher is always quiet during a test --- Unknown